ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal High Court for Abuja don order make two properties linked to Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) officer Aminu Garunbaba go back to Federal Government on April 4, 2025. Justice Obiora Egwuatu hold say Garunbaba no fit show how him take buy di properties legally.
Di properties wey dem don forfeit include a four-bedroom terrace maisonette wey get boys’ quarters wey dey located for Barumark Groove Estate, Plot 667, Cadastral Zone, BO3, Wuye District, Abuja, and one property for No. 5 Lodge Road, Kano. Court conclude say both properties na proceeds of unlawful activities, according to di Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Egwuatu talk say, “A person cannot be allowed to benefit from illegitimate acts,” and he add that Garunbaba no show any credible explanation to prove di funds used for di properties na from him legitimate earnings.
The judge still dismiss di preliminary objection wey Garunbaba file, stating say ef no show say EFCC no follow di right procedures. EFCC counsel Martha Babatunde argue say public officer like Garunbaba no dey immune from investigation or prosecution.
According to EFCC report, during di case wey EFCC file on March 21, 2022, di commission request di court for final order wey go make dem forfeit di properties because dem dey suspected to be proceeds of illegal activities. Di Commission state say, “No sufficient cause dey show why di properties should not be permanently forfeited to di Federal Government of Nigeria.”
In di affidavit wey EFCC operative Apagu Wudah present, im explain how Garunbaba and other staff members conspired from 2017 to 2018 to fraudulently collect millions from FIRS under di guise of Duty Tour Allowances (DTA) for journeys wey dem no ever travel. Wudah reveal say Garunbaba collect money from d DTA and share with senior officials for di agency.
Garunbaba admit during im extra-judicial statement on May 23, 2019, say dem share over N269 million among FIRS officers. He detail say im receive part of di money through im Stanbic IBTC Bank account and kon convert plenty of di funds into US dollars through bureau de change operator named Wan Jafar Shehu.
Di properties wey Garunbaba buy include di four-bedroom maisonette wey cost N65 million from Barumark Investment and Development Company Ltd and di other property in Kano wey cost N39 million from Alakhillau Enterprises. EFCC find say di FIRS officer no fit legally afford di properties considering say im dey collect DTA funds at di same time.
